30 pythons killed so far in Florida hunt

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., Jan. 25 (UPI) -- The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said Friday 30 Burmese pythons have been killed in the Everglades "Python Challenge" that began Jan. 12.

The commission said the snake hunt is intended to reduce the population of the invasive species and educate the public about the threat the snakes pose to native wildlife and the ecosystem, WPEC-TV, West Palm Beach, Fla., reported Friday.

Researchers said another goal of the hunt, which ends Feb. 10, is to collect information on the pythons' population and habits in the area.

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